Medical Affairs Undergraduate Review

On a day to day basis a medical affairs team member is supporting the department delivering the medical plan for the year. Personally, as an undergraduate, I predominantly assisted in medical projects until I was more established. I was then able to run internal training sessions for the sales team on medical data. The role involves liaising with a variety of stakeholders internally, such as marketing, and externally with agencies (so numerous meetings each day). The role also involves ensuring all materials and activities are compliant with Pfizer's SOPs and the ABPI Code of Practise. There are set daily tasks that need to be completed such as keeping up to date with drug requests from healthcare professionals.

Within the role I have developed my communication skills (both written and verbal) though the various day to day tasks that must be carried out. I have also developed a 'skill' in understanding the ABPI Code of Practise and the team I was in had bi-weekly training sessions as the new code was released. My presentation skills have also increased through internal presentations within my role, but also getting involved with Diversity & Inclusion groups I have had the chance to interview and host sessions with senior leadership. There were no specific training courses I was able to go to (potentially due to my role or maybe the working from home situation) but there was a mass of resources I found on the internal sites which has helped me develop my skills outside of the role that I was working in, such as marketing skill sets. The undergraduate cohort also had a 2 short training sessions which focused on CV writing and communication

At first, I was given limited responsibility as I developed my understanding in such a critical role where there is room for error. However, I was soon given responsibility such as creating and leading training sessions and helping with the undergraduate recruitment for the next cohort. More recently, I have been given a large project of finding external companies we may be able to outsource to for a project and deciding who would be in the best position for this. Within medical, the most meaningful tasks are still run by 'non-undergrads' as they hold such a significant value to the business and I did not have the qualifications to lead, but I was heavily involved. Exposure to the business was huge, especially helping to run my own projects within diversity & inclusion groups. For example, a group of us hosted informal sessions with senior leaders to understand more about their career progression, whereas another project was a few undergrads setting up a Pfizer UK mentor scheme programe.

Support was always there whether it was my direct manager or line manager. The team were always present to help when ever I had a question. I also found a mentor within the business who I spoke to on numerous occasions about where I wanted my career to go - she was outside the medical team which was very helpful (I reached out to her myself as this was not a formal mentoring per say). HR were also very active if any undergrads had questions and we had 2 weeks worth of virtual onboarding receiving all the information we needed. If someone could not help they would always find someone who could

The company culture was brilliant - it was nothing like past jobs I have had before (retail and summer internships). The 4 company values (joy, excellent, equity and courage) really resonated with me and almost everything the company did went back to one of those 4 values. Whilst I could not embrace the full atmosphere due to being at home the entire year, everyone across the business was always very welcoming. We had one big oncology wide virtual event when joined which was lovely and really friendly. Diversity and Inclusion within Pfizer is huge! There are so many different branches that you could get involved with - I was involved in 4 projects! They always encourage everyone to get involved, even in small ways where you had no time to volunteer on projects, such as showing your support to the LGBTQ+ communities placing your pronouns in your email signature or adding a rainbow around your ID picture. The company are also hot on flexible working ensuring everyone works efficiently and understanding that a 9-5 every day is not always feasible for everyone

I enjoyed it to a large extent. Whilst I discovered the role was not necessarily for me long term, the work I was doing always had a meaning to it and I could see how I was helping patients! The team I was immersed in where so welcoming, always friendly and supportive. The company culture was something I had never experienced before and I would love to continue working for Pfizer due to this. Overall, the placement met my expectations, it was a shame I could not go into the offices at all, but that was unfortunate based on COVID-19. I would be more than happy to work for Pfizer again!

Yes

Firstly, go for it. You have nothing to lose by applying. The interview process is straight forward. The first interview will be you answering pre-recorded questions, which can seem a bit daunting, but you get given a few practise questions first before starting. Just make sure you have strong Wifi. The assessment centre was welcoming, there were undergraduates to welcome you and you felt at ease. It is a standard assessment day with group activities followed by interviews - make sure you are your authentic self as this is what Pfizer values. Preparing for day one - preparing for a first virtual day was interesting. Get a good night sleep and make sure you are early. It is better to be early everywhere than late as first impressions are important. I wish I was not so quiet at first - be yourself. Have a few days to settle in but then push yourself out your comfort zone as much as possible as you will only learn things about yourself and gain valuable skills. What inspired me to join Pfizer was the job role on offer, this was not offered at all pharma companies, but also the culture and the whole process I always understood where I stood. This was different to other companies where I never understood what stage my application was at and I constantly got chain/blanket email updates.